Languages and Articles in Translation

In my role as an academic, I often assist non-native English-speaking researchers by refining their manuscripts. This task involves not only enhancing clarity but also discerning their intended message. Frequently, I find myself correcting or adding articles, particularly "the" or "a." For instance, a foreign scholar might write, "Best fossils come from Jurassic," and I would revise it to, "The best fossils come from the Jurassic."

It’s important to note that I am not an English expert; I struggled in my final high school English exam. However, as a native speaker, using articles correctly feels instinctual. Certain languages, such as Russian and Chinese, lack specific words to indicate definiteness or indefiniteness. While speakers of these languages understand this distinction, they often express it differently. For example, Russian grammar illustrates how negation can indicate whether a noun is definite or indefinite.

Putin's Reflection on the USSR's Collapse

In 2005, Vladimir Putin made a statement that has sparked considerable debate, particularly among his critics. His words have been frequently cited, interpreted as a glimpse into his deeper views or aspirations. He reportedly stated:

> "???????? ?????????? ????? ???? ?????????? ??????????????? ??????????? ????"

One possible translation of this is:

> "The breakdown of the USSR is the greatest tragedy of the century."

It's noteworthy that the definite articles "the" do not exist in the original Russian text but must be added for grammatical correctness in English, while preserving the original meaning. This translation suggests that Putin prioritizes the USSR's collapse over the tragedies of both World Wars, which raises questions about his perspective.

This leads to speculation: if the fall of the USSR ranks highest on his list of tragedies, does that imply a desire to restore it? Some interpret current geopolitical actions, like the invasion of Ukraine, through this lens. However, Putin himself remarked that anyone longing for the Soviet Union's return "has no head," adding complexity to the interpretation.

Heidi Blake, in her book From Russia with Blood, noted:

> "The president had finally showed his true KGB colors when he branded the collapse of the USSR ‘the greatest geopolitical tragedy of the twentieth century’."

Conversely, Stephen Cohen argued that Putin was misquoted, claiming he originally said:

> "a major geopolitical catastrophe of the twentieth century."

Examining the Translation Debate

Delving deeper into this discussion, I found a lively debate surrounding Putin's quote on the website Johnson’s Russia List in 2014. Various scholars have weighed in, with Anders Åslund translating Putin's words as:

> "the collapse of the Soviet Union was the biggest geopolitical disaster of the century."

This translation was contested by Patrick Armstrong, who preferred:

> "the collapse of the Soviet Union was a major geopolitical disaster of the century."

Åslund maintained that the Kremlin's official translation used "a major," while the original Russian employed a superlative that implies an extraordinary degree, suggesting a nuanced distinction that is often overlooked in translations.

Steve Shabad, an experienced translator, emphasized the challenge of conveying such nuances, particularly noting that the suffix used in Russian does not have a precise English equivalent. He argued that context is vital for accurate translation, supporting the view that Putin did not claim "the greatest" disaster when considering the historical significance of the World Wars.

Conclusion: What Can We Learn?

This exploration of Putin's quote reveals the complexities of translation and the importance of context. In academic settings, I often find it crucial to verify original statements, as misquotations can stem from careless authors. While precise wording may not always alter the essence of a statement, it can significantly impact interpretation.

The challenge of translating between languages with starkly different structures elevates the stakes further. While it is possible that Putin intended to convey "a major geopolitical disaster," the ambiguity surrounding his words raises questions about his true intentions regarding the Soviet Union's legacy.

In summary, whether Putin intended to express "a major geopolitical disaster" or "the greatest disaster" remains open to interpretation, illustrating the delicate balance between language, meaning, and geopolitical implications.

References

Blake, H. 2019. From Russia with Blood. Putin’s ruthless killing campaign and secret war on the West. William Collins.

Christian, R.F. 1961. Some Consequences of the Lack of a Definite and Indefinite Article in Russian. The Slavic and East European Journal, 5: 1–11.

Cohen, S.F. 2019. War with Russia? From Putin & Ukraine to Trump & Russiagate. Hot Books.